Chapter 8 – The Impact of the Collision
The boy who collided with Anika stopped abruptly.
His eyes fixed on her. For a moment he looked startled, then a faint smile curved his lips.
"Sorry…"
Though he apologized with a smile, his voice carried a subtle hint of disdain, making the apology feel anything but genuine. A slight chill hung in the air.
The morning sun hid behind clouds, casting a soft, pale yellow light over everything. At the gate, the crowd moved slowly forward, shoes scuffing against the earth. This sudden encounter drew curious glances from nearby people, as though they already sensed something bad was about to happen.
Feeling those strange stares, Alaric Thorne gently pulled Anika toward him and gave her a light push toward her brother.
Anika's heart pounded fiercely. Her breathing quickened.
Her fingers clutched Garrick's shirt tightly.
For some reason, even Garrick seemed slightly rattled—though the unease lasted only a moment. Alaric Thorne's sharp eyes caught it, but given the tense situation, he chose to ignore it for now.
Alaric Thorne was about to say something when he heard Vikram's voice from a distance. Vikram was approaching with a few others.
Vikram's voice reached not only Alaric Thorne but also his friends and the boy.
When Vikram appeared with his group, the boy (Abhay) glanced at Alaric Thorne. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You… this group…"
Before he could finish, Vikram stepped forward. His usual smile had vanished, replaced by a trace of bitterness in his tone.
"Abhay… the strongest young warrior of the Rudra Division. What are you doing here?"
Abhay looked at Vikram and replied with light anger,
"Mind your own business, Vikram. Who are you to tell me what I should do or where I should go?"
Vikram's expression grew serious.
"Listen, these people are my friends. That makes this matter concern me."
Abhay sneered.
"Vikram… are you trying to trap someone again?"
Without giving Vikram a chance to respond, Abhay turned to Alaric Thorne and the group.
"Look, I don't know what lies Vikram has fed you, but know this: there's no bigger deceiver in this entire city than him. He might lure you somewhere, take the Ice Lotus for himself, and leave you behind.
Why don't you join my team instead?"
At Abhay's words—calling Vikram a deceiver—Alaric Thorne and his friends froze in shock.
Alaric Thorne, still unfamiliar with these kinds of schemes, looked toward Garrick.
Garrick immediately understood and stepped in.
"What's the problem here?"
Abhay laughed lightly.
"Problem? We have no problem… just an old memory resurfaced."
Then he looked directly at Alaric Thorne.
"Listen, friend… you're very close to the ninth phase. If you come with me, I'll help you reach it.
In return, you join my team."
Alaric Thorne smiled faintly and replied in a calm voice,
"Thank you for the offer, but I've already made a deal with Brother Vikram. I can't go back on my word now."
At Alaric Thorne's refusal, Abhay's smiling expression vanished. He stared coldly at Alaric Thorne and the group.
In a low, angry tone he said,
"In Horizon City, no one has ever dared refuse me. You'll regret this."
The sudden shift in Abhay's demeanor stunned Alaric Thorne and his friends.
But Vikram showed no surprise—as though he had expected exactly this.
With those words, Abhay turned and walked away.
Silence fell over the group after he left.
Anika still stood close to Garrick. Her breathing remained slightly rapid.
After the tension eased a little, Garrick looked at Vikram and asked in a serious voice,
"That boy… he's from the Rudra Division?"
Vikram nodded.
"Yes… Abhay is one of the strongest young warriors of the Rudra Division's new generation. He's also my old rival. There's long-standing enmity between our two divisions."
"I'm sorry, friends. It seems someone in the city saw us together and reported it to him. That's why he deliberately bumped into Anika."
Garrick smiled lightly.
"No problem, Brother Vikram. Anyway, there's never been much friendship between our Fire Division and the Rudra Division."
Samara added,
"But now we're caught between two divisions for no reason?"
Vikram smiled reassuringly.
"You don't need to worry. I'm with you. This isn't a trap.
We just need to be more careful. Come on, it's time we head toward Manasarovar."
Alaric Thorne glanced at Anika.
She was quiet, eyes on the ground, breathing still a little fast.
Alaric Thorne felt that Abhay's gaze had lingered on Anika for a moment longer than necessary.
Then Vikram spoke seriously to the group,
"Come on, no more delay. The gate is already crowded."
Garrick smiled and said,
"Don't worry about the crowd."
He pulled a special token from his pocket.
Vikram's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"That's… General Dhama's special token. He's one of the most respected and powerful commanders in this city."
Garrick just smiled faintly.
They moved forward.
At the gate, Alaric Thorne saw hundreds of people already gathered.
Many groups stood ready. Lone warriors. Some families. All shared the same eager expression—desire to gain power in Manasarovar.
The weather was cool. Clouds hung overhead. The air carried a mix of forest freshness and city dust. Leaves rustled underfoot.
Alaric Thorne thought to himself,
"So many people… all wanting to become stronger."
Garrick said,
"Because of the competition, everyone wants to grow powerful quickly. Opportunities to train in Manasarovar don't come often."
Vikram looked at the group.
"Come on, let's move."
Thanks to the special token, they didn't have to wait long in the crowd. They passed through easily.
Alaric Thorne's eyes roamed everywhere.
Some people checked weapons. Others bought herbs. Some talked with companions.
In one group, an old man said to his grandson,
"Son, in Manasarovar, strength alone isn't enough. You need brains too."
Alaric Thorne overheard and thought silently,
"Master used to say the same: a true warrior knows how to use both strength and wisdom."
They were about to cross the final checkpoint when Vikram stopped and said,
"Wait… take these first."
He pulled four small stones from his pocket.
"These are 'Protection Stones.' They'll help shield you from spirit beasts in Manasarovar."
Garrick asked in surprise,
"Where did you get these?"
Vikram smiled.
"From our Vajra Division's private auction.
And if you want more items like these, you can come with me to the auction. You'll find many things useful for winning the competition."
Everyone took the stones.
Alaric Thorne placed his in his pocket. A faint warmth spread through his palm.
Then, hesitating slightly, Alaric Thorne asked Vikram,
"Brother Vikram… can you tell us why only those below the Awakened Realm can enter Manasarovar? And why even stronger warriors can't go in?
Can everyone increase their power there?"
This question had been troubling Alaric Thorne for a while—he couldn't understand why weak warriors were allowed while powerful ones were forbidden.
Vikram smiled and explained,
"Long ago, a great war raged between spirit beasts and humans. At one point, Manasarovar itself was on the verge of destruction.
To prevent total annihilation, powerful figures from both sides made an ancient agreement.
According to that agreement, only warriors below the Awakened Realm are permitted to enter and train there. Anyone at Awakened Realm or above is strictly forbidden.
But don't worry—the spirit beasts at Awakened Realm or higher won't cause trouble as long as we don't break the rules."
Then, in a more serious tone, he added,
"Every time, only twenty spots are available for humans. That's why we must hurry.
If we delay, all the good spots might be taken by the time we arrive."
Hearing this, Alaric Thorne and his friends grew tense.
Only twenty spots… that meant fierce competition awaited.
They continued walking, deep in thought. Fortunately, the rest of the journey passed without incident.
After some time of steady travel, they finally reached the boundary where Manasarovar's territory began.
As soon as they arrived, they realized they weren't alone.
Many others had reached the place before them.
In the distance, Alaric Thorne spotted Abhay and his group. Abhay looked their way and gave a dangerous smile.
But Alaric Thorne paid him no attention and kept his gaze forward.
They had only been there a short while when a loud announcement echoed through the area:
"All those who have arrived are informed: the competition to enter Manasarovar is about to begin.
Prepare yourselves!"
While everyone wondered whose voice that was, their eyes fell on an old man stepping forward.
Alaric Thorne froze in shock.
That old man… was the same one who had sent them here to obtain the Ice Lotus…
What do you think—who is this old man, and what are his true intentions toward Alaric Thorne?
Will the enmity with Abhay prove disastrous for Alaric Thorne and his group?
Who will win the competition to enter Manasarovar?
I know if you're a fan of fantasy stories, these questions are burning in your mind too.
If you already know the answers, drop them in the comments and let us know!